Rotary Roller Motor

ABSTRACT

The Rotary Roller Motor (RRM) is a four cycle rotary internal combustion engine that uniquely overcomes many of the drawbacks of other rotary type engines, by having the Rotor ‘roll’ around the inside of the engine block, rather than scraping it. This is accomplished with a two part rotor. The inner part of the rotor is composed of a Rotor Shaft (RS-12) with an Offset Circular Lobe (OCL-11) rigidly attached to it. The Outer Rotor (OR-9) fits symmetrically around the Offset Circular Lobe, with Inter Rotor Bearings (IRB-10) between the two to allow free movement. The four cycles are separated by two barriers; the Compression/Power Barrier (CPB-13), and the Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB-6). Compression is controlled by two non-reversing barriers, the Non-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB-3) and the Compression Hold Barrier (CHB-14), on either side of the Combustion Chamber (CC-2).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. 62/763,320 filed Jun. 7, 2018, Rotary Roller Motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although rotary engines have the potential of several benefits overconventional piston engines; in terms of simplicity, efficiency, andgreater horsepower to weight; they have failed to do so in actual terms.One of the more significant problems deals with the failure of manyrotary engines to maintain an adequate seal around the rotor's parameterdue to the ‘scraping’ of seals against the bore in engine block. Thisproblem is apparent in even the most successful ‘Wankel type’ rotaryengine. For decades engineers have struggled to find a cost-effectivematerial that would provide a good seal over a comparable period of timeto that of a piston engine. Other rotary designs using slats, or dualrotors, etc. have similar problems.

Another problem with many rotary designs is their complexity. Again, in‘Wankel type’ engines the rotor cavity in the engine block requires acomplex design and very precise machining, coordinated with expensiveand very precise internal gearing. The unique design also severelylimits design options such as varied compression ratios or power‘strokes’. Other rotary engines such as ‘Rotary Slat’ designs appearsimple in concept but attempts to reduce friction, and failure of theslats, has resulted in a complex mass of bearings and nearly impossiblelubrication solutions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Rotary Roller Motor (RRM) is and internal combustion Rotary Enginethat has an offset two part rotor that rolls around a symmetrical borein the engine block, rather than scraping like many other rotaryengines, while improving the seal between the rotor and the wall of theengine block. The simple symmetrical machining also reducesmanufacturing cost and improves reliability and durability. Two pivotingbarriers, an Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB) and Compression/Power Barrier(CPB), separate the four cycles during each rotation and are simply‘rolled over’ when the Rotor passes them. Two other barriers, aNon-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB) and Compression Hold Barrier(CHB), internal to the Combustion Chamber (CC), regulate the compressionand combustion sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Rotary Roller Motor (RRM) is a four cycle rotary internal combustionengine that uniquely overcomes many of the drawbacks of other rotarytype engines, by having the Rotor ‘roll’ around the inside of the engineblock, rather than scraping it. The Rotor is composed of three majorcomponents but can be collectively referred to as the “Rotor”. The innerpart of the rotor is composed of a Rotor Shaft (RS, item 12) with anOffset Circular Lobe (OCL, item 11) rigidly attached to it—or combiningboth features as a single machined part. The Outer Rotor (OR, item 9)fits symmetrically around the OCL, with Inter Rotor Bearings (IRB, item10) between the two to allow free rotation of the OR around the OCL. Thefour cycles are separated by two barriers; the Compression/Power Barrier(CPB, item 13), and the Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB, item 6).Compression is controlled by two barriers, the Non-reversing CompressionBarrier (NCB, item 3) and the Compression Hold Barrier (CHB, item 14 or14A), on either side of the Combustion Chamber (CC, item 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, when the Outer Rotor (OR-9) ‘rolls’ past theCompression/Power Barrier (CPB, item 13) the ignited fuel air mixturecontained in the Combustion Chamber (CC, item 2) is released by theCompression Hold Barrier (CHB, item 14) and expands against the trailingsurface of the Rotor powering the rotation of the Rotor. Simultaneously,the expended gases from the previous cycle are pushed out through theExhaust Port (EP, item 7) by the advancing surface of the Rotor. Theexhaust gases are kept separate, from the fresh air being drawn inthrough the Intake Port (IP, item 5), by the Exhaust/Intake Barrier(EIB, item 6).

As the Rotor continues to rotate, as shown in FIG. 2, and rolls past theExhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB, item 6), the expended gases exit throughthe Exhaust Port (EP, item7). Simultaneously, the Rotor draws in freshair through the Intake Port (IP, item 5), while compressing air againstthe Compression/Power Barrier (CPB, item 13) and the closed CompressionHold Barrier (CHB, item 14). The Non-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB,item 3) is forced open as the compress air is forced into the CombustionChamber (CC, item 2).

The Barriers may be held in position by various mechanical, hydraulic,pneumatic, or electrical means; or any combination. FIG. 4 shows thebarriers being held in position using Barrier Spring Nuts (BSN, item17). The force applied to each barrier would vary depending on theirfunction. The Non-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB, item 3) would onlyrequire a relatively little force to keep it in contract with theCompression/Power Barrier (CPB, item 13) until the pressure of thecompressed air exceeds that of the pressure in the Combustion Chamber(CC, item 2). Similarly, the Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB, item 6) wouldonly require sufficient force to keep the EIB in contact with the Rotoras it pivots in and out. The Compression/Power Barrier (CPB, item 13)would require substantially greater force, to keep it in contact withthe Rotor, to overcome the force of compression against it surface.

The Compression Hold Barrier (CHB, item 14) is unique in that it can bedesigned so that a symmetrical force is applied to the CHB barrier shaftso that it can be easily open and closed against the extreme pressuresgenerated during ignition as shown in FIG. 1, however, this could resultin catastrophic failure if the mechanism designed to open the CHB fails.Alternatively the CHB can be designed asymmetrically, as shown as item14A in the insert in FIG. 1. This alternative however would requireapplying a substantial force (such as with a stronger Barrier Spring Nut(BSN, item 17) to ensure the NCB remains closed until the Rotor passesthe Compression/Power Barrier (CPB, iteml3). To maximize the expandinggases, an opposing force (such as solenoid) could be applied to theasymmetrical CHB to keep it open until it passes the Exhaust Port (EP,item 7).

The flexibility of RRM offers significant advantages over other rotarytype engines that are tied to the geometry of their design. TheCombustion Chamber can be designed in almost any size to offer an almostunlimited range of compression ratios, and the Chamber can be designedto maximize specific performance goals. Additionally, the Intake Port(IP, item 5), Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB, item 6), and the Exhaust Port(EP, item 7), can be located closer to the Combustion Chamber to changethe displacement/power stroke ratio so as to accommodate betterefficiency or increased performance goals. Furthermore, the RRM can becarbureted, injected; use a broad range of fuels from ethanol, gas, ordiesel; and ignited by spark plugs, glow plugs, or high compression suchas in a diesel engine.

Unlike other rotary engines with complex engine blocks and internalrotor gearing, the simple design would make the Rotary Roller Motor morecost efficient to manufacture and maintain while achieving a highhorsepower to weight. Additionally, the fact that the RRM performs allfour major cycles (Intake, Compression, Power, and Exhaust) on eachrevolution, equates to its effective displacement per revolution beingtwice that of a conventional four stroke piston engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings Major Component Index

FIG. 1: End view showing the basic arrangement of the RRM afterignition, forcing the Rotor (composed of items 9, 10, 11, & 12) to turn(clockwise in this case) while simultaneously pushing exhaust gas fromthe previous ignition out the Exhaust Port (item 7) and drawing in freshair through the Intake Port (item 5). Drawing also shows twoalternatives to the Compression Hold Barrier (CHB, item 14);symmetrical—shown on the drawing, and asymmetrical (item 14A) —shown inthe insert.

FIG. 2: End view showing the continued rotation of the Rotorapproximately 180 degrees clockwise showing the closure of theCompression Hold Barrier (item 14) white the Non-reversing CompressionBarrier (item 3) is open allowing the compressed air to enter theCombustion Chamber (CC). This view also shows the exhaust gases freelyexpelling through the open Exhaust Port (item 7) while air is being drawin through the Intake Port (item 5).

FIG. 3: Shows a rotational view of the major components with an EndPlate (item 15) removed.

FIG. 4: Shows a typical cut-away side view of the major components.

FIG. 5: Shows a 3D rotational view similar to the position of the Rotorin FIG. 1.

FIG. 6: Shows a 3D rotational view of a typical configuration of theSpring Nuts on the outside of End Plate (item 15).

FIG. 7: Shows a 3D rotational view of the ability to connect several (inthis case four) rotors together.

DRAWINGS MAJOR COMPONENT INDEX

-   -   1. Spark Plug (SP)    -   2. Combustion Chamber (CC)    -   3. Non-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB)    -   4. Non-reversing Intake Barrier (NIB)    -   5. Intake Port (IP)    -   6. Exhaust/Intake Barrier (EIB)    -   7. Exhaust Port (EP)    -   8. Engine Block (EB)    -   9. Outer Rotor (OR)    -   10. Inter Rotor Bearings (IRB)    -   11. Offset Circular Lobe (OCL)    -   12. Rotor Shaft (RS)    -   13. Compression/Power Barrier (CPB)    -   14. Compression Hold Barrier (CHB), or alternative CHB 14A    -   15. End Plate (EP)    -   16. Shaft Bearing (SB)    -   17. Barrier Spring Nut (BSN)

1. The Rotary Roller Motor (RRM) is a four cycle rotary internalcombustion engine that uniquely overcomes many of the drawbacks of otherrotary type engines, by having the Rotor ‘roll’ around the inside of theengine block, rather than scraping against it. This is accomplished witha two part rotor. The inner part of the rotor is composed of a RotorShaft (RS, item 12) with an Offset Circular Lobe (OCL, item 11) rigidlyattached to it, or combining both features as a single machined part.The Outer Rotor (OR, item 9) fits symmetrically around the OCL, with anInter Rotor Bearings (IRB, item 10) between the two to allow freerotation around the OCL. The four cycles are separated by two barriers;the Compression/Power Barrier (CPB, item 13), and the Exhaust/IntakeBarrier (EIB, item 6). Compression is controlled by two other barriers,the Non-reversing Compression Barrier (NCB, item 3) and the CompressionHold Barrier (CHB, item 14), on either side of the Combustion Chamber(CC, item 2).